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Father arrested in vandalism of Clemson’s iconic Howard’s Rock

The father of an 18-year-old N.C. man arrested in connection with cutting off a piece of Clemson University’s iconic Howard’s Rock was arrested Friday on felony obstruction and conspiracy charges.

Michael Rogers, 46, of Pisgah Forest, N.C., was charged nearly two months after his son, Micah, was arrested on charges of trespassing and malicious injury to personal property valued at more than $2,000 but less than $10,000.

The missing piece of Howard’s Rock, touched by Clemson football players as they enter Memorial Stadium, has not been recovered.

“My determination to find the truth has resulted with my being charged with a crime that I absolutely did not commit,” Michael Rogers told The State. “Unfortunately, my role in trying to find the truth has led to these allegations. Through my attorney, I’m happy to continue to work in every way possible to find the truth.”

Rogers said he is a Clemson fan. The masonry business owner said he did not think his arrest would affect his role as a member of the Transylvania County Board of Education.

He declined further comment, including about how his son is faring since his arrest.

Also Friday, Alden James Gainey, 17, of Brevard, received the same charges as Michael Rogers -- felony counts of conspiracy and obstructing justice, Clemson University police said.

The pair were released Friday on $7,500 bond after appearing before a Pickens County magistrate.

Police have accused Micah Rogers of jumping a fence at Memorial Stadium’s Gate 2, breaking the rock’s case and chipping off a chunk of the stone during the night of June 2.

His arrest came after police released surveillance camera footage of people getting out of an older white pickup truck at the stadium around the time of the incident.

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